A close-up of the front from a laid-down perspective. You can see the pickup option switch (lead, through tone control, or rhythm with treble-cut cap). The pickup is a DeArmond single coil. It's HOT and nicely-shielded. These were used on most Combo models in '56 and '57.

Note the strings emerging from the front of the snap-off bridge cover. There are over a dozen #2 brass wood screws holding the guard in place. The aluminum guard also helps the shielding.